The image of ‘Dolly’ Amy Jayne Everett used by Akubra Hats in their ad campaign eight years ago. Everett took her own life at 14 after being bullied.
Photograph: Akubra Hats/PR

The suicide of “Dolly” Amy Jayne Everett, the face of Akubra, has sparked a campaign to end cyberbullying, as her family prepare to farewell the 14-year-old in a commemoration ceremony in the Northern Territory.

Her father, Tick Everett, described his grief on social media this week, saying his beloved daughter felt she had no other option.

“I know for some suicide is considered cowardly but I guarantee those people wouldn’t have half the strength that my precious little angel had, Doll had the strength to do what she thought she had to do to escape the evil in this world,” he wrote on Facebook.

“However, unfortunately, Dolly will never know the great pain and emptiness left behind.

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Tick Everett said his daughter’s death would not be wasted if the family could help to prevent the suffering of others. He also issued a challenge to his daughter’s tormenters.

“If by some chance the people who thought this was a joke and made themselves feel superior by the constant bullying and harassment see this post, please come to our service and witness the complete devastation you have created.

“Let’s stop the bullies no matter where, but especially in our kids, as the old saying goes. You will never know what [you] have until it’s gone.”

An image of Everett, taken eight years ago, was used as the face of Akubra’s Christmas campaigns.

Her family is now planning to campaign to prevent cyberbullying and raise awareness about youth mental health and suicide.

In a statement to the ABC and News Corp last night, her parents Tick and Kate, and sister Meg, said the community’s response had been “overwhelming” since their “world came crashing down around us”.

The family are establishing “Dolly’s Dream”, a trust to raise awareness of the dangers of cyberbullying. Friends and family will gather in Katherine on Friday morning to celebrate her life in a commemoration service.

They will be asked to donate to “Dolly’s Dream” to protect other young people from harm.

A social media campaign to raise awareness of Everett’s death, bullying and youth mental health is spreading this week, through the hashtags, #doitforDolly and #stopbullyingnow.

“Our daughter Dolly was the kindest, caring, beautiful soul, and she was always caring for animals, small children, other children at boarding school who were less fortunate than herself,” the family said.

News of her death drew tributes across the country.

The former prime minister Kevin Rudd described it as a “tragedy. And an obscenity”.

“Any form of bullying is an assault on our values,” Rudd tweeted. “And in this young girl’s life with lethal effect.”

Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd)

This is a tragedy. And an obscenity. Any form of bullying is an assault on our values. And in this young girl's life with lethal effect. Deepest condolences to her family. https://t.co/q18qkD8MIX

In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. Papyrus are contactable on 0800 068 41 41 or by texting 07786 209 697, or emailing pat@papyrus-uk.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. Hotlines in other countries can be found here.